Crystal R. Emery is no stranger to defying expectations. A filmmaker, playwright, actress, author, nonprofit founder—and quadriplegic—Emery has added novelist and comedian to her ever-growing list of achievements.
Her debut novel, Without a Trace, was recently released.
Known for her acclaimed documentaries Black Women in Medicine and The Deadliest Disease in America, Emery brings a powerful emotional realism to her first work of fiction. Without a Trace follows Tanya, a young girl whose mysterious relationship with an older man named JohnL ends abruptly—only to resurface nearly two decades later, disrupting her life just as she prepares for marriage. The novel is described as a lyrical, suspenseful coming-of-age story exploring love, memory, and the lingering questions of the past.
For Emery, Without a Trace represents more than a new creative endeavor—it’s a personal milestone. She recently debuted as a comedian with the encouragement of Michelle Buteau, and will perform again this September at New Haven’s Bregamos Community Theater.
Emery is the founder of URU: The Right to Be, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to addressing issues at the intersection of humanities, arts, and sciences. Her numerous accolades include the BronzeLens Spirit Award, the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust Leadership in Journalism Award, and recognition by Good Housekeeping as one of “50 over 50: Women Who Are Changing the World.”
Through her tireless advocacy, storytelling, and innovation, Emery continues to push creative and cultural boundaries—all while challenging what’s possible.